Robbery is a crime "against a person," and is a frightening experience. It can result in injury or even death to the victim. When protecting your business from robbery, it is important to remember to take preventive measures and make it obvious that those measures have been taken.

Ways to Discourage Robbery

• Lock unused doors.
• Avoid working alone. If you must, turn on a hidden radio or TV so robbers will think there's someone with you.
• Vary the schedule and route for your bank deposits so a robber never knows when or where to expect you. Make several deposits each day, and keep only necessary cash in the cash drawer. Then, if you are robbed, you'll cut your losses.
• Make sure your cash register is clearly visible to passersby.
• Arrange the counter so that the customer - or robber - is visible from the street.
• Avoid placing signs or displays near windows which block visibility from the street.
• Record the serial number of the bottom bill in each bin of the cash drawer, and instruct employees not to use these bills in making change.
• Keep "bait" money in a spare compartment of cash registers. The bait packet should be separated by face value as other bills. Keep a list of the serial and series year numbers to give to law enforcement officials if you're robbed.
• If your business runs an exceptionally high risk of robbery, you may want to invest in a bulletproof cashier screen. A screen "defuses" the robber's threat, but other prevention measures may be equally effective at lower cost.
• Display signs at entrances and exits indicating that safes require secondary keys not in the possession of employees.
• Advertise your security alarm system with signs in visible locations.
• Develop a mutual aid system among stores on your block. Agree to keep an eye on each others' buildings and watch for any suspicious activities. Install "buddy buzzer" alarms so you can signal your neighbor to call police if you're being robbed.
• Place colored tape markers at exits at heights of 5-feet-6 and 6 feet. Then, if you are robbed, you can get an accurate estimate of the suspect's height as he leaves.
• A robbery may be over in less than a minute. You need a quick eye to get a good look at the robber. That's why many stores place hidden cameras behind cash registers. Fullerton has such a system and we encourage you to use it.

If a Robbery Happens

• Someone points a gun at you and demands your money. What do you do? Give it to him. Never refuse a robber.
• If you have a silent alarm and can reach it unnoticed, use it. Otherwise, wait until the robber leaves. (Use your alarm with care. Excessive false alarms can cause problems for law enforcement and for you.)
• If possible, signal other employees. Have a pre-arranged signal for such emergencies. Again, if the robber will see you, wait. Try to avoid sudden moves. Many robbers are just as nervous as you.
• The most important thing to do if you're robbed is to observe -- be a good witness.
• The description of a suspect you give to the police may be the only information they have to go on.
• A vehicle description and license number of the suspect vehicle is of tremendous value to the police; however, do not endanger yourself to acquire this information.

After the Robbery

• Call police immediately -- don't waste a minute.
• Write down everything you can remember about the robber and the crime itself. Note the robber's appearance height, weight, color of hair and eyes, scars, tattoos, accent, anything unusual, and as much as possible about his clothing, weapon and mannerisms. Try to remember the robber's exact words, and try to observe any vehicle the robber uses to get away. Keep everyone away from surfaces the robber may have touched.
• Cooperate fully with law enforcement and prosecutors. Your help is crucial, so stick with the case.